From The Independent:
[quote]Japanese porn makers demand cash from Taiwanese
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Eight Japanese pornographic film producers are demanding compensation from Taiwanese cable and telecom companies they say are using their work without authorization, a lawyer representing the producers said today.
The case may depend on whether Taiwanese authorities rule that adult films are creative works protected by copyright law.
Chen Shih-ing said that the Japanese producers are seeking royalties from Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd., Taiwan Mobile Co. Ltd., and other unnamed Taiwanese telecom and cable TV providers to make up for an estimated New Taiwan dollars 1 billion ($30 million) in annual losses.
He said the companies are allowing customers to download the films onto a variety of platforms, including mobile phones, without providing compensation in return.
Speaking to reporters Taipei, Chen said he was basing his case on a Taiwanese law assigning intellectual property rights to creative works. He said his clients will give Taiwanese companies one month to negotiate before they face legal action.
In a statement, Taiwan’s Intellectual Property Office said the question of whether adult films are creative works needed to be decided on a case-by-base basis.
A Chunghwa official declined to comment on the case, while Taiwan Mobile said it was looking into the issue. [/quote]
More on Taiwan’s “official” stance that Porn is obscene, and thus can not have copyright, here:
